"Ocarina"
by: Ellis McDohl
First entry: August 4, 2001
Last entry: August 6, 2001
Disclaimer: You know who they belong to! They belong to Capcom!!

Author's note:
Hello. This is Ocarina. After a very, very short intro. Excuse me, I'm not good at it right now. But I hope you'll enjoy. ^-^ If you'd like to flame me, go ahead just please, go easy.
Ellis McDohl
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"Ocarina"
Chapter One: As It Seems


Zero stood in his office, looking down at the ocarina lying in an elegant brown box. Dr. Cain had given it to him a few months ago back then when he was needed as a judge to see if X was fit enough to become the 1st unit's new captain.
He passed, really. But it was X's decision to stay here in Japan and remain as his partner. During their ride back Zero remembered X saying: "Whatever. Let them look for another candidate. Dr. Light allowed me to stay and I will." And that was the end to that.

Hearing that, made him feel relieved. At least, even for a while longer, they could keep their promises. He gently took the ocarina out of it's box and felt its smooth surface. It looked old yet it didn't feel old. He didn't understand why Dr. Cain gave this to him. But still, it was good. At least, he knew how to play it.

He lifted it up to his lips and blew. It gave out a clear sound and he continued to play. Lady Aluze used to listen to him play and she would smile at him and say it was lovely. She was the only person she ever played to. But now, there was X and Dr. Cain.

He didn't mind them hearing him play but when others come, he would stop and no other persuasions could get him to play it again except for those mentioned. He hid his talent from the whole world.

His short repertoire ended as abruptly as the fancy seized him. It was because X was outside and calling out to him.

"Hey, Zero!" He called, his voice slightly muffled. "Come on! Let's go eat!"

Zero looked down at the ocarina in his hands for a few moments, remembering those times when he played for her. He was sad when she had passed away but if he thought about this sadness, he knew the lady wouldn't get the rest she deserved. He shook these thoughts away. He always wanted to see her smiling and if he lived and be happy, she will continue to smile in his memory.

"Zero! Are you coming?!" X called once again, impatiently.

"Yeah!" He replied as he carefully placed it back, closed the lid of the box and left.

Then the room remained as still as it did before he came in.


X sat across the breakfast table, with his eyes looking, thoughtfully at the mug in front of him. The coffee inside it, steamed and white spirals came up. He can clearly see it, why not? His eyes, even without the armor, were very sharp. Unlike his best friend who sat at the end on the table, reading the morning paper.

X saw him as he pushed back his glasses to his face after noticing it had nearly fallen off. X thought his friend didn't need to wear those glasses at all. But it was true that Zero's eyesight got a little clouded whenever he took off his armor and helmet. Not that he'd mind really.

In fact, it did look good on him. X had always thought so and a lot of other people-reploids and humans alike-saw how those glasses fitted him. He didn't look nerdy in it either. He's just purely good-looking.

His friend's helmet had a special microchip that enabled him to see clearly (or perhaps clearer) than everyone else. But even without those glasses, Zero was still as sharp and alert as ever. He sensed them from the movement of the air and other stuff like that. X had tried to do it like Zero did but it was just not working. Yet.

They've only recently found out about this eyesight problem he had a few months ago. Just a few days before Dr. Light and the others went back to America. Zero had been harboring this secret inside him for years and they've only noticed it now.

He and Dr. Cain mused over it, thinking how well he did conceal this ailment of his. Zero didn't consider it as such. He thought it was a good opportunity to test himself, get used to it, and learn to be a little sharper and alert about it.

X had to laugh at that. He didn't know if his friend would find it funny but it just got a little weirder to him, sometimes.

There was a slight shuffle of papers which he vaguely heard. He didn't look up yet but continued to look at the mug in front of him, trying to repress the laughter inside him but it seems it had leaked out as a grin.

"What are you grinning at the coffee mug for?" Zero's clear voice asks.

Now X looked up and met Zero's emerald graze, looking at him, mildly. He liked those glasses, really but he knew he himself wouldn't look good in it.

X shook his head, smiling. "Nothing." He replied. "I just remembered something."
Zero placed the morning paper on the table, but he still didn't look like he was done with it either. X turned back at the coffee mug and sighed.

What is it with me and coffee anyway? He asked himself.

Zero gave out a sigh and drank his own coffee, carefully tilting the mug to his lips to keep it's contents from spilling on his clothes.

They didn't wear their armors at the present. They were allowed to do that now. It was one of Dr. Cain's odd fits that had it in. The other week they weren't, and the next week they were. Not that they'd mind really.

X wore a white shirt that was slightly unbuttoned so his throat could be seen. The sleeves were long but he folded it up to his elbows to, so he says, make him more comfortable. No one protested to that because it was okay. He wore blue jeans and brown shoes. X gave out a sigh and thought how light these clothes make him feel. A complete contrast to his heavy blue armor. He didn't mind the weight of it though.

Zero wore black pants and turtle-neck, long-sleeved shirt and brown shoes. But in addition to that, he also wore a white lab coat. He liked that lab coat and he also needs it. Most of the times he'd go to Dr. Cain's lab and help out there. X used to always tag-along with him and his whims and he doesn't seem to complain about it either.

His brown-haired friend doesn't always mind if he'd go along with it.
"And what may that be?" Zero asked, looking down at his now empty mug.

X rolled his eyes about, still smiling. "Just Dr. Cain's whims, that's all." He replied.

Zero smiled and turned to his morning papers. "Yes, well you know how Dr. Cain is when he has his momentary attacks." He remarked. "They're quite amusing..."
X leaned back his chair. "Yeah... But that makes me wonder though..."

"Wonder? About what?"

"All this..." He replied with a slight sweep of his hand. "I mean, Dr. Cain doesn't have whims without a reason."

Zero stopped and considered. It was true. Dr. Cain always had a reason for everything. He just didn't know what it was this time. But there was something. How could he explain all those times he gazed out the window wearing a sad look on his face? Lately he just seems so far away. Sometimes, he'd suddenly fall silent and place a lingering look outside. When they would ask, he would not answer them truthfully.

"He looks like he's hiding something from us..." Zero remarked, softly.
X gave out a weary sigh. "Hard for us not to notice, huh..." He remarked.
Zero nodded, slightly as he placed the papers back on the table.

"We've worked with him for so long..." Zero murmured. "...We've been so accustomed to his moods, that a sudden change would undoubtedly have us questioning what's wrong..."

X looked, sadly up at the ceiling. The wind blew in, making their hair dance, it's breezes brushed pass their cheeks, caressing their faces, coolly.

"I don't know if we have the right to..." He began. "But I only wish he'd tell us what's bothering him." A slight pause. "I've never seen him look depressed as he is now. It makes him look almost... ancient."

Zero turned to the window, looking at the trees and the way their leaves dance gently. Some old, brown leaves flew about to the earth where they must go and add up to cycle of life where it turns, unceasingly, till the end of times

"It seems so wrong, doesn't it?" Zero said, quietly.

X nodded, just enough for him to see. It was Zero's turn to sigh.

"We'll eventually find out, soon enough." He added.

As if on cue, Alia walked into the cafeteria. They both saw her standing there, looking around, as if searching for someone. Alia, unlike the two of them, didn't wear casual clothes. In fact, it seems they were the only ones to wear these right now. No one minds at all.

Zero brushed a stray golden strand of hair off his face as the cold expression he usually wears, gradually began to came back. X wearily ran his fingers through his dark-brown hair, doing his best to suppress a yawn. Alia saw them and her face beamed up as she began to walk toward their table by the window.

X looked up at her, smiling. "Hello, Alia." He greeted.

But something made him stop and look closely at Alia's face. There was a long silence and Zero noticed it so he looked up as well and found Alia's bewildered face looking back at them.

"What happened to you?" X asked, rather amused.

They both thought she wouldn't answer but she did, after another long silence.

"Have you noticed anything odd...lately?" She asked.

X raised his eyebrows, confused. "Huh? What do you mean?" He asked.

Alia pulled out a chair and settled herself down, looking serious. The amused look on X's face disappeared and Zero closed his eyes, thoughtfully. The sunlight that had crept in and shone on their hair, making gentle highlights.

"Have you noticed anything odd about the way Dr. Cain acts?" She asked.

X smiled, slightly at Zero. "Seems we're not the only ones who notice..." He remarked. Without waiting for a reply, he turned back to Alia, his smile disappearing. "What's wrong? Is he okay?"

Alia shrugged her shoulders. "Beats me..." She replied, worriedly. "Everyone couldn't help notice it. He's been so quiet lately..." A slight pause. "I don't know about you guys, but I really think we should do something about it."

Zero pushed his glasses back to his face and stood up. As if taking the hint, X stood up as well, smiling at Alia.

"We'll do what we can." He said. "Still we can't guarantee anything."

Alia beamed up at them, hopefully. "Really?" She asked, eagerly. "Please do. Everyone's been at their wits end trying to figure it out." Another slight pause. "You've noticed how everyone's been so quiet lately too, haven't you?"

Zero gave out a short laugh. "Yeah..." He replied, not turning to her. Then to X. "Let's go."

X nodded in response and they walked out the cafeteria. Meanwhile, the other reploids continued to eat and work to their heart's content.


Dr. Cain stood in front of a dressing table in his room, looking down at the it's antique beauty. There was once a time this dressing table had a figure of a woman sitting in front of it, pinning her long, black hair up and looking at her reflection with a small smile on her pink lips. Her golden eyes, shinning with delight.

James, she would call, smiling sweetly. How does this look on me? She would ask.
And he would smile at her, mildly. It's very lovely... He replied.

She would laugh at him, so carefree and cheerfully, he thought he could take on the whole world. Just with that smile, he could live on and forget all the cares of the world. He would die for that smile. He wanted to stop the world from turning if that will stop time but he knew it would never happen.

He reached out to touch this figure in front of the mirror as if it were there. But the image, faded away into nothingness. Whisked away like thin smoke against a strong puff of wind. He gave out a sigh. The only thing that was left of her were painful memories.

He looked at his reflection on the dressing table's mirror and saw his old reflection. He wearily shook his head, thinking how young her was then, and foolish. If he hadn't done what he did, she would still be here with him, and safe.

He laid his head in his old hand. A week from now was the day it all happened and he couldn't do anything to avoid it. He didn't know what he could've done to save her but he would if he could've but can't.
It's too late... He told himself, gravely, closing his eyes. It's too late now... He could see her face, even in death she was smiling. She was always smiling...

"Will you continue hiding in the shadows of your past, Dr. Cain?" A voice asked.
He stopped and turned to see Zero and X standing a few meters behind him. What Zero said struck him and for some reason, it made him angry. He was about to shout at them both for entering without knocking but the look on Zero's eyes made him restrain himself.

Shout at us then. Those green eyes seemed to say. Get angry if you even dare. At least, tell us what's wrong.

He stopped and turned back to the mirror, seeing his and their reflection. He couldn't get angry with them. That was because they were right. It was true. He closed his eyes and tried to look away from their eyes. He couldn't bear to face their mild graze for they seemed to penetrate his very soul.

He smiled. There was more to them than meets the eye. Perhaps they understood because they knew how it feels to loose someone dear.

"I don't know about you..." He said finally, after a short silence. "...But I certainly don't like having people barging into my room like that."

X seated himself on the bed. "We didn't barge in, doctor." He said. "We knocked but you didn't answer so we thought something was wrong."

Dr. Cain remained smiling. These two never ceased to amaze him. He turned to them and saw Zero still standing there, but this time, he had his fists tied on his chest. Dr. Cain couldn't help but be amused at the way they acted.

Despite the fact that they were reploids and they were rather strict ones (especially Zero. No words could better describe him...), they were very caring in their own away. They were rather selfish too when it comes right down to it.
Selfish? Dr. Cain suddenly thought.

He didn't know yet they were, in their own peculiar way.

"Very well." Dr. Cain replied. "I'll let it go this time but I do hope you'd call before you came in."

X rolled his eyes about, thinking how many times they did call out to him from outside but he doesn't even seem to hear. Zero glanced at X, just enough to hint not to say that. X nodded because he didn't need Zero to tell him about it.

Dr. Cain walked toward a chair by the window.

"Is there anything you wish to talk to me about?" he asked.

X glanced at Zero who, by the look on his face, approved of it. Dr. Cain smiled wider.

These two are very much synchronize! He told himself, amused. It was almost like they shared the same heart and mind, if not body.

"Dr. Cain?" X called, awkwardly.

"Yes?" He asked.

"Is... something wrong?" X asked, slowly.

A very frank young man. Dr. Cain remarked. "Why do you ask?" He asked, aloud.

"You haven't been yourself lately..." He replied, softly. "Everyone notices it, though they didn't speak of it. Everyone's been worried."

Dr. Cain chuckled. "Oh? Is that why everyone's been behaving recently?" He asked, very much amused.

X and Zero didn't answer nor did he need one. He'll be fine without an answer because it was fairly obvious. Dr. Cain looked out the window, watching the people outside do their work. This is his life now. This was his work. To this place and these reploids did he dedicate his life.

Dr. Cain looked down and noticed a small, scented, white envelope. He smiled at it as he turned back to them.

"X, Zero," He called.

They both straightened up.

"I want you to come with me." He said.

X glanced at Zero with a bewildered face. Zero shrugged his shoulders, just enough for X to see.

"Where to, doctor?" Zero asked.

Dr. Cain's lips curved up to a wide grin that made him look almost young. It was pleasant to see him like this. Dr. Cain raised his hand and waved a small, white envelope in front of their eyes.

"This, my dear boys," He began, amused. "is an invitation for a grand ball held in America. All the important people are coming and I am invited." He explained. "And Dr. Light is there as well!!" He added, throwing his arms up in delight.

X and Zero ran to him because, for a moment, they thought he was going to fall over. But Dr. Cain, as old as he was, was able to get his balance back. They sighed in relief. Dr. Cain continued to grin broadly.

"Is that an order?" X asked, raising his eyebrows.

Dr. Cain remained as he is, grinning. "What do you think?" He asked.

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me!" X groaned, turning to Zero.

Dr. Cain laughed out loud at the expression of despair X had displayed. Dr. Cain knew X had a hard time with formal parties like these. Zero doesn't seem to mind much.

"Are you coming , Zero?" Dr. Cain asked.

Zero pushed his glasses back to his face again and tied his fists on his chest.

"Very well." He replied.

X threw his arms up as if surrendering. "All right. If Zero's coming, I won't complain." He decided. "Besides, it'll be a good opportunity to see everyone again." He added, smiling cheerfully.

Dr. Cain nodded. "That's good then." And he turned back to mirror. "I'm going to enjoy this..." He murmured.

He heard X groan in such a manner, he had to laugh at it. Though in the reflection, he didn't see Zero smile there was a sort of amusement in it as he looked down at his friend. Then, much to his surprise, Zero turned to him.

Even though it was only a brief moment, Dr. Cain never forgot the look on his eyes that day. It was the look he only gave X. Gentle and true. Zero nodded, slightly and turned to go.

Dr. Cain wanted to stop them both from going but they had disappeared, even before he had a chance to speak.


X closed his eyes as he leaned back, comfortably, on the chair while the plane hovered, faultlessly across the sky. Really, they could've used the teleporter but Dr. Cain insisted they ride the plane. Not that he'd mind really. After all, it's only a few hours to America but he liked to see Dr. Light and the others as soon as possible.

It's been two months... He thought. Wonder how everyone's doing?

They didn't wear their armors on their trip either and to confess the truth, X was getting the hang of it. It was a lot easier to move around without having people to look them. It feels very light. Their armors are safely kept in the base. If they need it, it will teleport back to them.

They look very much human. X looking like a seventeen-year-old teenager while Zero, who sat beside him quietly, looked like a young man in his early twenties or two years older than X.

X wore a gray, turtle-neck shirt with long sleeves.

Zero turned to him with a small frown on his face as a few strands of golden hair slipped forward to his face. Zero was inclined to brush it off and remove his glasses, carefully placing it on the empty seat beside him. X raised his eyebrows at this gesture.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

Zero ran his fingers through his hair like a comb while his other hand held some papers. Promptly, he let the papers go and kept on running his fingers through his hair. The light was enough to shine in and make his hair glimmer like pure gold, spun into whisper-thin threads. He then stopped and, still with his hair on his hand, raised it up slightly to see it clearly.

"I don't understand why Dr. Cain insists on having me wear my hair loose like this..." He replied, a small frown on his face.

X grinned as he gently took a handful of it, feeling its soft, silky texture, a contrast to his rough, dark-brown hair.

"What's wrong with that anyway?" He asked once again. "It's all right." He added, rubbing his fingers, gently against it.

Zero gave out a weary sigh. "Well, yes..."

X patted his shoulder. "Don't worry about it." He said, cheerfully.

Zero smiled, slightly. "You say that because you never have problems with your hair." He remarked, sighing.

X poked at his friend's forehead, still grinning. "Lucky me." He remarked.
Zero nodded and let his hair go. X straightened up but still held onto the handful he had in his hand. He didn't pull it, and would never dare to lest Zero should get angry and have his neck for it.

Now that is awful. X decided.

X turned to Zero. "Why did you grow your hair out like this?" He asked.

There was a long silence between them and Zero sat there, thinking of these things. X thought it wasn't a good idea to have asked that for he can see that Zero's expression changed to a somewhat, sad and grim air. But Zero didn't mind at all.

Zero closed his eyes. "To remind me..." He replied, quietly.

"Remind you about... what?" He asked, slowly.

Zero turned his head to him, sadly. His hair slips through X's fingers. X saw it and was suddenly horrified to remember that Zero could slip through his fingers as easily as his golden hair had done.

Zero looked at him, mildly.

"To remind me," He said, softly. "of all the things I've been through... What I live for and everything I fought for..." A small smile slowly formed in his lips. But this was a sad smile. "It's to remind me of how much I must move on... when things go bad..."

X gave out a sigh as he looked out the window. It was true that Zero moved on more often. Because it seems so many bad things happen in his life. When he told this to him once, Zero only replied sadly that life is not always easy and he didn't always want to move on.

But he didn't have a choice...

Even if you want to, you can't make the present stand still...

...He had to live on for others who wait for him.... For others who are important to him and for those whom he must come home to, to protect.

X gave out a sigh. "I guess you're right..."

"We are about to land." Someone announced. "Please fasten your seatbelts..."

X looked over his chair to see Dr. Cain.

"Dr. Cain, it's time." He said.

Dr. Cain nodded, slightly and they fastened their seatbelts as the plane landed, safely on the runway.


Roll looked up at the plane while she shielded her eyes from the sun. The wind from the landing plane almost made her red hat fly off if she wasn't holding onto it, it might've. Protoman walked to her side, while his dark-brown hair whipped about his face. He wasn't wearing his armor either. Just casual clothes. A white shirt, slightly unbuttoned near the throat and blue jeans.

He doesn't seem bothered by the strong wind, despite the fact that he wasn't wearing his dark visor. But Rush, who sat by his feet, turned his head away, minding the dust as it flew.

This is going to be one major clean-up... Protoman thought, amused as he looked down at Rush.

The plane landed and stopped before them. Roll straightened up and eagerly looked out for X. During the time they were all apart, they never forgot to call each other. And how did they call each other!

Dr. Light walked forward, smiling and waited as the ladder descended. From the door, X emerged and walked down the ladder. Roll screamed in delight. She ran and flung her arms around X that they fell to the ground.

X sat on the ground in Roll's embrace.

"Thanks for the welcome, Roll." X said, smiling.

Roll smiled, stood up and offered her hand to help X up. X accepted it with a smile on his face. Protoman walked to him, smiling, looking at him with amusement in his blue eyes. Rush barked beside him. His tail wagging, eagerly, behind him. Dr. Light smiled at them.

"Hello, X." Dr. Light greeted. "It's good to see you again."

X bowed in respect, smiling. And then straightened up. "It's good to see you too, doctor." He greeted back.

Dr. Light embraced his boy, heartily. X enjoyed it very much and felt a few tears come but he repressed it. Yet, Dr. Light saw these and smiled, understanding.

"Now, my boy," Dr. Light began. "How are you and where are Dr. Cain and Zero?"
X turned to the plane, grinning. "Dr. Cain's still in the plane with Zero." He replied. "They'll probably come down soon."

True to his word, Zero stepped out from the plane, his blond hair dancing. Protoman noticed there was a small frown on his face but it faded away as he turned back to the door and assisted Dr. Cain while he stepped out. To Dr. Light, his colleague looked rather ill, he frowned, slightly but it disappeared as quickly as it came.

Dr. Cain, though old, he managed to walk down the stairs in quite a rapid pace. Zero followed behind him, his normal, cold composure was gone, and so was X's present disposition, because they both thought he was going to roll down.

Luckily, he didn't. He walked toward Dr. Light in delight and they shook hands with a hearty laugh. Zero remained behind Dr. Cain, without speaking but Roll couldn't help but notice a slight amusement in his face as it gradually settled back into a cold mask. X gave out a deep sigh of relief as though something that had gone terribly wrong was put back in order.

"So how are you, Zero?" Roll asked, smiling, when he was standing along with them.

Zero turned to her and nodded, slightly as his answer, but he didn't smile and he didn't seem cross either. This was a good sign, so she continued to try and get him to talk to them longer.

"Has X been giving you trouble?" She asked, still smiling.

"No..." He replied, plainly.

"Well, if he is," she began. "you just tell me and I'll be the one to do the talking..." And she turned to X with a mischievous grin spread across her face that X had to laugh.

"I'll be sure to remember that..." Zero replied.

That reply was warmer than what he had given her earlier. She smiled at him, thinking maybe he'll talk more as the days go by. After all, they'll be staying here for awhile. It'll be fun with the ball and all.

Zero looked down at his feet, frowning. He felt something was wrong but he didn't know what it was. He felt it, as soon as he stepped out of the plane. He always had this feeling whenever something wrong was coming. His intuitions were normally correct. It almost seemed like another part of his senses.

"Hey, Zero!" He heard X call.

He looked up and saw all of them a few meters away from him. Roll was frowning while X waved his hand high in the air. Dr. Light smiled at him, cheerfully and Protoman looked at him with slight amusement.

But Dr. Cain wasn't smiling. Not this time.

That's because he understands... Zero thought. He knows...

Zero remained standing there while his shadow lay underneath him. It was high noon and it was hot yet he didn't mind. He looked up at the buildings, expecting to see something or someone spying at them from the top of one the building...


Two people, a man and a young lady, stood on top of the building nearby, watching them chatting along from where they were. They didn't care much for the heat of the sun despite the fact that the sun was high up above them in the cloudless sky.

They saw it clearly and knew that blond man had seen them...

Seen...? The boy thought. No, that's not right.

"Our work is done here." The man said, frowning.

The young lady looked up at the man standing beside her.

"That one can't see us... can he?" She asked, anxiously.

The young man smiled down at her. "Don't worry." He assured her. "He won't be able to do anything about it even if he did."

The young lady smiled, sweetly. "You're right." She decided.

He took her hand in his, gently but firmly. "Come on, let's go. We can't linger any longer."

She nodded and they turned away, disappearing, like thin smoke.


Zero frowned for he knew now that he was right and something was coming. He hoped it wouldn't but he knew that was far from true. The rooftops remained empty as he saw the shadows had gone. He knew the day will come when they will meet face to face.

But will it be as comrades or as enemies? He didn't know.

This will be not like what it seems, perhaps? Zero remarked as he turned away and walked to join the others.

Now let the dance begin...

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further notes:
Ack! Please excuse me. Haven't really had enough time to think properly about this. But I'm going to do my best. It's a little boring, isn't it? I hope it wasn't... I hope it was okay...
Bye for now.
Ellis McDohl